Robert James

A change in the club's name was a prerequisite, if "Athletic" wanted to be accepted into the EoSL. Ground sharing will therefore be acceptable, subject to a formal agreement between the clubs concerned..

Won't happen. However Tier 6 will encourage some of the leading NCL clubs, to consider SFA licensing. Similarly, several clubs in the proposed North/Midland League, will look to follow the same route, when it obtains senior/pyramid status.

There has been some serious damage at Bunillidh's Couper Park clubhouse, which may mean that the club will not return to the NCL for 2021/22. However, subject to pandemic controls being lifted, it is anticipated that one new club will join the NCL for next season.

Not unless they are licensed. Golspie Sutherland is the only NCL club which has an SFA licence at present, and they already enter the Scottish Cup each season. Pyramid status in 2021/22, will give encouragement to a couple of current NCL clubs, who are understood to be ambitious. Similarly there is only one club in the North Juniors, which holds an SFA licence, namely Banks O'Dee, who also enter the big 'Scottish' each season. By comparison, if a "Midland League" (East Juniors north of Tayside) joins the pyramid, none of its clubs are currently licensed.

Kickabouts probably unlikely.. However, the North Caley League has published its fixtures in order to c0mplete the current season. Matches will start on 29th May, and conclude on 26th June. Good news. The 2021/22 season is unlikely to start before mid September (yet to be confirmed).. It will be interesting to see if Bunillidh Thistle will rejoin the NCL, after a year out.

I agree. But existing part time SPFL clubs, will want some additional protection against relegation to Tier 5, so a restructuring at the lower SPFL divisions will be needed. Perhaps changing both Leagues One & Two into 16 (or 18) club divisions, would be a good incentive for existing league, and top/ambitious non league clubs. Conditional of course, on automatic promotion and relegation between SPFL and the HFL/SLL, being implemented as a 'quid pro quo' ? And as a bonus....a reduced need for lower clubs to be playing each other 4 times each season. Great news for most fans, like me !. .

If so, will I be given free entry to the ground (again) ?

An interesting situation for the H&I University. Given the appalling lack of facilities in Inverness, I anticipate that there will be interest from several local clubs, about using the facilities (if they are on offer for hiring ?). However the above QUOTE (if accurate) from the Uni spokesperson, suggests that it will be seeking to advance into the junior or amateur ranks. Perhaps when phase 2 is completed, the NCL could be an appropriate option.

I hope you your info is correct. Ground development target dates for opening usually run late, as various 'snags' and ' safety approvals' are often delayed by a few weeks/months. Timescale-wise, I am keeping an eye on Queens Park at Lesser Hampden. Another very exciting development. South of the border, completion dates for new football stadia, are frequently (much ?) later than anticipated,. Typical.

Yes great news. The last time I was at the (old) stadium was years ago, to watch Meadowbank Thistle's first Scottish League match under floodlights. Myself and my 2 lads arrived +20 minutes late, and were given free entry, as the turnstile(s) had closed. I am very pleased that after all the hassle, City will be returning to the new Meadowbank, and will attend a future match when I'm in Edinburgh. Has a date been set for completion of the ground works ? Perhaps I will be given free entry again !! (just joking).

Congratulations. I hope you have a good run in the Scottish Cup next season.

Assuming the post from John Reilly is correct, it is good news that there has been some dialogue between the ERJFA and the HFL which has been "constructive" and "extremely positive".. This would give the ERJFA the chance to retain and 'manage' an independent "Midland" senior league, which the SFA would find it almost impossible to reject, as it would breach its longer term aim of having an integrated national pyramid. As I'm sure BM (and possibly the LTL ?) will point out, this cannot be forced against the wishes of the HFL or the LL. However, it doesn't need to be 'forced', now that the West Lothian Juniors problem is about to be resolved, the NCL supporting the pyramid, and the North Juniors rumoured to be seeking to re-evaluate its' position, the pyramid tide is turning. The death of the SJFA makes this inevitable.

The EoSL management committee, has demonstrated in recent years, that it is prepared to reject applications that don't meet its standards. It is prepared to do so again for 2021/22, where necessary, If I was a member of Bonus United Community FC, I would drop the title "United" from the club's name, as it may not find favour with the EoSL when they consider an application..

Useful. Thanks.

Legally sound, except that by moving from the Juniors, to the senior/pyramid, clubs transferring would need to accept the rules/decisions of the new league/association, or not move at all. Also, how many of these clubs could afford to launch a legal challenge ? I suspect, none.

Which junior club will be the next to apply to join the EoSL. And more significantly, will the existing EoSL clubs vote in favour of West End's election ?

Yes reaching a conclusion during this summer, would be beneficial to all clubs, and help to provide an integrated pyramid. It would not be necessary to relegate Fort, as relegation/promotion, would kick in at the end of the second year for NCL & North Juniors at Tier 6, assuming their champion clubs are licensed by year 2 (or whenever there after). By the way, the HFL clubs wiill NOT kick out Fort William, but over time they would be relegated anyway (based on history). .

Of course the clubs don't have the power to decide. But if they did vote on their preferred outcome, it may produce an outcome which could be used as a "lobby" fior the future, eg : * lowland senior (i) EoSL OR (ii) become an additional Tier 6 Midland League *Highland senior (i) realign with North Juniors OR (ii) become an independent Tier 6 North Midland League *Stay Junior *Realign with the amateur leagues . Even a split outcome would be interesting/important, as it MAY help resolve the 'impasse (?).

Shocking and thanks for your info

Has the 2021 Licensing 'Committee' Timetable been announced, for considering current applications, as I haven't seen it .

The changing rooms are outside the perimeter of the new ground - Edinburgh Rugby will use those in the main stadium, but the SFA wouldn't approve that for a football club. You are probably right about the SFA, but has there been any dialogue between the Scottish Rugby Union, and City about a shared use ? Making (further) improvements at Ainsley Park is probably advisable....assuming that there is security with City having a long term lease ?

The North Caley League clubs voted in favour of joining the pyramid, but the North Juniors were at best ' indifferent'. After the covid lockdown ends, there will be further discussions IMO, especially now that the SJFA is in meltdown.. Does it really matter that the Highland & Lowland Leagues are at the same pyramid tier, as the two champion clubs both participate in the SPFL relegation/promotion playoff ? Only ONE champion club can win and participate in the SPFL playoff final. Tayside clubs need to decide (vote) as to whether or not they want to be in the Lowland or Highland region., assuming the clubs want to be "'senior". If the decision is split, each group should form separate senior pyramid leagues at Tier 6, either under the umbrella of the SLFL or the HFL.. Thereafter the pyramid will evolve over time, with the clubs making the decision which suits them best. The other alternative, is that the residual junior clubs in the East/Midland region, join the local amateur leagues.

Very interesting information. Thank you.

Well done FWF, for once you have made a helpful contribution by responding, and divulging your views about other clubs who may be looking to get licensed in time for season 2021/22. Yes this is an EoSL forum, and yes the 2 clubs I mentioned are West clubs, but posters on here are seeking/sharing information about clubs who may have submitted licensing applications for consideration within the February 2021 deadline.. You have been on P&B for a long time, so you will surely have noticed by now that between 5%** and 10%** of posts on here (and on other P&B forums) are NOT strictly on the right forum. For example, Dev has posted above, some views about Creetown, who are also NOT an EoSL club, but his input is welcomed as it is relevant to the licensing topic and is a live (and interesting) issue for (senior) non league clubs seeking SFA membership... (** my rough estimates)

Will Talbot and possibly Cumnock, slip in under the P&B (licensing) radar ? Or will they be prevented from licensing consideration this year, as they are not currently active in the WoSL owing to covid19 ?